Thoughts on 44 Magnum

[lobo9er]

I wanted to hear the thoughts on 44 magnum as a side arm, from people who have and continue to hunt Africa. For entertainment only. Or in a rifle. I carry one in the woods often both in a rifle and sidearm, but the woods here I don't have big bears let alone things like Cape buffalo and lions. I don't know any of the legalities of handguns and what's allowed to be carried, if any. Id guess it would depends where you are just like in the states. Id be interested to hear about that as well.

 

[JimP]

Unless you have made arrangements with your outfitter for a hunt with a pistol just leave it at home.

I hunt with a number of different pistols and calibers here in the US, but if I'm hunting with a rifle the pistol stays home. The only exception is if I am archery or using a muzzle loader. Then I'll pack a pistol if it's legal.

If you are in Africa where dangerous game are common your PH will more than likely will be packing his rifle for any problems that might come up.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I like the 44 magnum for a back up - just in case situations while hunting. I'm prone to have interesting things happen. Both good and bad. But those stories are for around the campfire after the day's hunt.

Alobg with my 375H&H as my main weapon I took my 44 mag loaded with Lehigh 300 grain solid bullets primarily as back up to Zimbabwe on a buff and hippo hunt, and with 240 grain flat soft points for possibly hunting PG in RSA.

I highly recommend you contact and use Henry Rifle Premits to get the latest information on temporary importing and hunting with a handgun in Africa.

As @Jim P mentioned you want to discuss your hunting with a handgun with your PH.

 

[BryceM]

When I was a kid, people would bowhunt the edges of the Yellowstone ecosystem without even thinking about it. Now, almost everyone carries at least a pistol. Grizzly (and wolf) encounters are pretty common these days. You can argue the efficacy of a pistol against a 700 lb determined bear, but at least it gives you a fighting chance.

I can't hit anything with a pistol when everything is perfectly calm. If I was facing a charge situation and fully buzzed on adrenaline, I'd probably only be effective with in inside of 5 yards.

Or, as my buddies say...... always save one bullet.

As for Africa, I'd just forget it, unless you had a genuine interest in hunting specifically with one. Too much trouble, and the PH will keep you safe.

 

[HankBuck]

When I was a kid, people would bowhunt the edges of the Yellowstone ecosystem without even thinking about it. Now, almost everyone carries at least a pistol. Grizzly (and wolf) encounters are pretty common these days. You can argue the efficacy of a pistol against a 700 lb determined bear, but at least it gives you a fighting chance.

I can't hit anything with a pistol when everything is perfectly calm. If I was facing a charge situation and fully buzzed on adrenaline, I'd probably only be effective with in inside of 5 yards.

Or, as my buddies say...... always save one bullet.

As for Africa, I'd just forget it, unless you had a genuine interest in hunting specifically with one. Too much trouble, and the PH will keep you safe.

@BryceM - I agree, and I am a fan of the .44 mag as a sidearm, I can shoot it reasonably well and even one handed out to 50 feet I can hit a 9” steel plate consistently from a “slow” holster draw….but I’m certainly NOT a competitive handgun shooter and handle a 9mm better. But I never considered taking my .44mag to Africa and would Not do so - I’m plenty comfortable using my Rifle and having my PH “back me up” if needed. Even hunting in the US for Bear or Grizzly, carrying my .44 sidearm was as much an “excuse” just to wear it as it was for my safety. Perhaps the only time I was really happy to have it was when my friend shot a Black bear in Maine at dusk and an hour later 3 of us (Guide, Me, friend) followed a very good blood trail (in the dark) to recover it….he was certain it was already dead and had heard the “death moan” but I still thought carrying that .44 was a smart thing to do. We recovered it (dead) within 75 yrds and there was No excitement - other then it was a great 356 lb. Boar and a memorable hunt.

 

[Manwe]

Never noticed much difference between the 41 and 44 recoil wise.
44mag has lower power loads available.
44 Special for practice.
Snake Shot.
Many more components if you hand load.
Fearsome high power loads.
Easier to find.
I've had several 41's but the 44 is more versitile for me.

 

[HankBuck]

Never noticed much difference between the 41 and 44 recoil wise.
44mag has lower power loads available.
44 Special for practice.
Snake Shot.
Many more components if you hand load.
Fearsome high power loads.
Easier to find.
I've had several 41's but the 44 is more versitile for me.

@Manwe - I found the same thing, my .41 has stout recoil only slightly below my .44mag using standard 240 gr magnum loads. Since both calibers shoot from the same N frame on a S&W the weight helps tame some of the .41 mag recoil.
But — depending on which .44 load I use, some full power from Buffalo Bore really kick much harder then the .41. Your right too that there is much more variety in .44 mag ammo and it’s easier to find .44 mag ammo. I like them both but if only had one - .44 all the way.

 

[Hillbilly Marine]

I have had and shot several .44 Mags from Smith and Wesson, Ruger and a Desert Eagle. I have never been overly impressed with the round. For a lot of boom and recoil I have never gained performance greater than I have achieved with other rounds.

I have come up with great performance with .41 Magnums with better accuracy and penetration than any .44. Honestly, I have had my best performance, critter wise, with .45 Colt loaded to around 950 FPS and that has been pretty consistent for years.

That said, my daily carry is a .44 Special revolver that is light and accurate. I even carry this while hunting, not because I feel the need for back up (if my .416 Rigby or .270 Weatherby can't stop anything in my Carolina swamp no handgun on earth will either), but I feel naked without it.

 

[RETD16]

For DG in Africa, a 44 Magnum seems like bringing a BB gun. I mean if I wanted to carry a sidearm, I’d bring something truly big like a 454 Casull!?!? I think a 44 Magnum is minimal even for brownies in AK. Recoil with a 44 Magnum is moderate, and not really an issue. A Casull is a different beast though…

 

[HankBuck]

I have had and shot several .44 Mags from Smith and Wesson, Ruger and a Desert Eagle. I have never been overly impressed with the round. For a lot of boom and recoil I have never gained performance greater than I have achieved with other rounds.

I have come up with great performance with .41 Magnums with better accuracy and penetration than any .44. Honestly, I have had my best performance, critter wise, with .45 Colt loaded to around 950 FPS and that has been pretty consistent for years.

That said, my daily carry is a .44 Special revolver that is light and accurate. I even carry this while hunting, not because I feel the need for back up (if my .416 Rigby or .270 Weatherby can't stop anything in my Carolina swamp no handgun on earth will either), but I feel naked without it.

@Hillbilly Marine - you pose a difficult argument because ballistics and decades of results contradict your opinion. .41 mag is a fine round and more powerful then a .357—-and the .44 mag tops the .41…when loaded to full power and with good bullets as in Buffalo Bore and others. But everyones personal experiance shapes their opinion and I respect yours.

 

[Hillbilly Marine]

@Hillbilly Marine - you pose a difficult argument because ballistics and decades of results contradict your opinion. .41 mag is a fine round and more powerful then a .357—-and the .44 mag tops the .41…when loaded to full power and with good bullets as in Buffalo Bore and others. But everyones personal experiance shapes their opinion and I respect yours.

I am definitely the odd man out on this one for sure. I never went through an extensive load development that would bring the .44 Magnum to the tip of performance because I found recipes for the .41 that was so accurate and, given the same velocity, out penetrated my .44 Magnums and shot groups half as small. Also, I am using these for whitetail in heavy brush so the range was rarely 50 yards so there is little practical difference and I will take accuracy all day.

I prefer the .45 Colt over all other handgun rounds for almost all uses. Powerful enough to get most any job done without tremendous recoil. I have loads that will rattle teeth and bones and loads that shoot wax but I have rarely found any need to hotrod to get what I need.

Like the arguments about the .270 Winchester and the .280 Remington I really don't think the difference is noticeable to the critter.